INSPIRATION:The emancipation of female population changed the need for shape, size and function and thus the form of a "handbag". Far gone is the time when a woman had only a perfumed handkerchief in her handbag. Today's modern woman needs a multifunctional purse to handle her daytime activities and does not have a time to change it during the day.
This inspired us to create "a multifunctional object" that will cope with all these functions. That's how our multibags were developed.

UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION:Multibags can be worn as shoulder bags, crossed over the chest or on the back as backpacks. By simply dragging or binding the ropes or changing the knots, the bag is transformed in a way that suits you the best.
We give the owner the freedom to use their own fantasy - both for tying different knots and for further experimentation: the rope can be removed from the bag and used when you need to tie something; the bag itself can also be a seat or a pillow...

OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION:Our multibags can be worn as a backpack, purse or cross body.
The change can be made by different tying or dragging of the rope
through the ear of the multibags.

PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION:We have been working on this collection since November 2016 until now in our studio in Prague. So far we exhibited the collection during Prague Design Week 2016 and 2017, and it is reachable on platform Not Just a Label. We have introduced it also on the Oxford Fashion Show during the London Fashion Week at the end of February 2017 where three basic models of the MULTIBAG REBELS collection were represented in different variations.

FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY:Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design

PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY:We use high quality bovine leather with upholstery treatment. Multibags are therefore resistant to both weather and mechanical wear and with proper care can last for a very long time.
The bags are sewn with the double-seam face technology which is very durable and ensures the stable shape of the bag. Used boat ropes are also extremely durable and enable repeated tying of knots.

RESEARCH ABSTRACT:Experimenting with shapes and forms is a great adventure for us and resulted in the determining features of our models: minimalist geometric shapes, volume distribution to the surface, emphasizing geometry with a double top seam.
But the shape effect should never stand in the way of functionality; instead, there is room for multifunctionality: handbags change color, they change to bags, from backpack to purses, the inner furnishing of the handbags can become a small purse or pouch. Inside the handbag, there is always a small drop-off purse and a sewn-in carabiner for attaching the keys.

CHALLENGE: We enjoy the process of creation itself. It is a social extension and design therapy for us. We design and create something that is essentially ours, based on our experience and needs. We test each model personally and investigate how to improve it, what to add, what to get rid of...
We are surprised how the meetings with our customers enriche us. These meetings are both inspirational and often end up in a true friendship. Here we connect our need for creating, designing and communicating with the social aspect of knowing new people. We are interested in their opinion, needs and life experiences.

PROFILE:Olina Francová and Jitka Arazimova, a sculptor and a graphic artist, have been friends since they’ve studied at the Secondary Arts School. Coincidentally, they met six years ago and joined forces under a new brand, Franco Arazzi, to design and sew handmade leather handbags. Creating design in moments when majority of creators say that nothing new can be done completely enchanted them. Nowadays, their work can be easily recognizable even by those who do not care about fashion. You can see them regularly at the Czech Design Week. This year, they also presented their new rebellious collection entitled Multibags Rebels at the London Fashion Week.
Exploring the design possibilities of objects that were created to carry things has brought up the issue of multi-functionality as well as creations for the physically challenged. In a special nonprofit project the designers created bags, handbags and backpacks especially for individuals with various types of physical disabilities according to their needs. Their latest nonprofit project focuses on the design of ‘bare head’ hats for women after chemotherapy. It’s also the answer to the question how one of the designers copes with suffering from a bad illness. The common credo of both authors is that good design enriches life and connects people who share the same sentiment.
„We confess to sustainable "slow fashion" that for us means rational approach, high quality raw materials and local production - we create handbags that last long, that are multifunctional and we sew ourselves.“
Fashion can be fun for all, from its creators to the people who wear them to ordinary observers. And it doesn’t matter whether you are twenty or a hundred!

NOMINATION DETAILS

Multibags Rebels Multifunctional Baggage by Olina Francova and Jitka Arazimova is a Nominee in Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Category.

· This project is currently confidential as results have not been announced yet. Images and further details of the project is not available for public yet, please check back later. If you are the owner of this design, please login to view the images.

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